Indians notebook: Wedge not sure about instant replay

Indians Manager Eric Wedge is a man of strong convictions where baseball issues are concerned.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wedge said Friday, however, there is one topic he now considers a gray area.

<p class="MsoNormal">The subject of instant replay was brought up during Wedge's meeting with the team's beat writers before Game 2 of the Division Series at Jacobs Field. Wedge has consistently been against the concept, but said Friday he might reconsider.

<p class="MsoNormal">"The old-school in me doesn't like it, but I can't totally disregard it," Wedge said. "I know that's a horsebleep answer to the question, but it's something I'll have to think about for a firm yes or no."

<p class="MsoNormal">The discussion was prompted by a controversial call during the first inning of Thursday's Game 1.

<p class="MsoNormal">New York leadoff batter Johnny Damon belted C.C. Sabathia's 3-1 pitch along the right-field line. The ball veered to the right a bit as it zoomed over the wall near the bright yellow foul pole and into the seats.

<p class="MsoNormal">Right-field umpire Jim Wolf hesitated before calling a foul ball. Yankees Manager Joe Torre walked out to protest and the umpires huddled. Crew chief and home-plate umpire Bruce Froemming then twirled his finger in a circular motion, indicating a home run.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I lost it," Wedge said of the flight of the ball. "I don't know. It looked like was fair to me. I can see how it would be a tough call. (The umpires) are not used to being that close and (Wolf) is in an area where he hasn't been all year."

<p class="MsoNormal">TV replays appeared to indicate a fair ball. Media members sitting in the auxiliary press box in right field said the ball clearly traveled inside the foul pole.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I watched it pass the foul pole, and it was definitely fair," Damon told MLB.com. "In that situation, you just hope that they got it right, and they actually did."

<p class="MsoNormal">Mike Port, Major League Baseball's Vice President for Umpiring, told reporters he believes instant replay might someday be used to determine fair and foul balls.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I will say that, beyond a foul pole situation, forget that," Wedge said. "There's got to be a flow to the game and the human aspect of it is a big part of the game."

<p class="MsoNormal">Wedge was strongly against adopting a "challenge" system similar to the NFL.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I hate that," Wedge said. " Like that's drama or something. Then some guy puts a hood over his head and you're waiting for him to come out."

<p class="MsoNormal">Switch that

<p class="MsoNormal">Indians Manager Eric Wedge elected to start Kenny Lofton over Franklin Gutierrez in the outfield for Game 2, although Lofton was 4-for-29 (.138) off New York left-hander Andy Pettitte in his career.

<p class="MsoNormal">"If we put five right-handers in a row in our order, Pettitte can get into a groove," Wedge said. "Also, a guy who had a night like Kenny had last night (3-for-4, four RBIs) deserves to be in there."

<p class="MsoNormal">Darn Yankees

<p class="MsoNormal">New York Manager Joe Torre was asked about "anti-Yankees sentiment" in Cleveland.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We understand there's a certain resentment, I think, about the New York mentality, that George (Steinbrenner) spends a lot of money and does a lot of things," Torre said. "I remember David Wells was warming up for a start here in the postseason, and he heard some things he hadn't heard before, which is saying something."

<p class="MsoNormal">Torre also said people in Cleveland are "very nice."

<p class="MsoNormal">Go sit on your hat

<p class="MsoNormal">Torre was also asked about the mini-firestorm of controversy generated by Cavs star LeBron James, who wore a Yankees hat to Thursday's series opener.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I'm happy he's a Yankees fan," Torre said. "I'm sure they'll cheer him when he goes down the court here shortly."

<p class="MsoNormal">Shave and haircut

<p class="MsoNormal">Wedge, whose choice of facial hair has often been a point of consternation with Indians fans, was asked Friday if his recent rugged look is an indication he is growing a "playoff beard," a tradition in hockey.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Every now and again, I just decide not to shave," Wedge said. "Nothing more than that."

<p class="MsoNormal">Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail andy.call@cantonrep.com.